TIPS FOR YOUR SUCCESSFUL BLOOD DONATION

Maintain a healthy iron level in your diet by eating iron rich foods, such as spinach, red meat, fish, poultry, beans, iron-fortified cereals and raisins.

• Get a good night's sleep.
• Drink an extra 16 oz. of water and fluids before the donation.
• Eat a healthy meal before your donation. Avoid fatty foods, such as hamburgers, fries or ice cream before donating. Tests for infections done on all donated blood can be affected by fats that appear in your blood for several hours after eating fatty foods.
• If you are a platelet donor, remember that your system must be free of aspirin for two days prior to donation.
• Remember to bring your donor card, driver's license or two other forms of ID.

During Your Donation

• Wear clothing with sleeves that can be raised above the elbow.
• Let the phlebotomist know if you have a preferred arm and show the staff any good veins that have been used successfully in the past to draw blood.
• Relax, listen to music, talk to other donors or read during the donation process.
• Take the time to enjoy a snack and a drink in the refreshments area immediately after donating.

After Your Donation

• Drink plenty of fluids over the next 24-48 hours to replenish any fluids you lost during donation.
• Avoid strenuous physical activity or heavy lifting for about five hours after donation.
• If you feel light headed, lie down, preferably with feet elevated, until the feeling passes.
• In rare cases when bleeding occurs after removing the bandage, apply pressure to the site and raise your arm for 3-5 minutes. If bleeding or bruising occurs under the skin, apply a cold pack to the area periodically during the first 24 hours.
• If for any reason something doesn't feel right, call the American Red Cross toll-free number provided to you after your donation.
• Enjoy the good feeling that comes with knowing that you may have saved as many as three lives.

• About the American Red Cross:
  The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies nearly half of the nation's blood; teaches lifesaving skills; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a charitable organization — not a government agency — and depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, please visit www.redcross.org or join our blog athttp://blog.redcross.org.

During Your Donation Wear clothing with sleeves that can be raised above the elbow. Let the phlebotomist know if you have a preferred arm and show the staff any good veins that have been used successfully in the past to draw blood. Relax, listen to music, talk to other donors or read during the donation process. Take the time to enjoy a snack and a drink in the refreshments area immediately after donating.
After Your Donation Drink plenty of fluids over the next 24-48 hours to replenish any fluids you lost during donation. Avoid strenuous physical activity or heavy lifting for about five hours after donation. If you feel light headed, lie down, preferably with feet elevated, until the feeling passes. In rare cases when bleeding occurs after removing the bandage, apply pressure to the site and raise your arm for 3-5 minutes. If bleeding or bruising occurs under the skin, apply a cold pack to the area periodically during the first 24 hours. If for any reason something doesn't feel right, call the American Red Cross toll-free number provided to you after your donation. Enjoy the good feeling that comes with knowing that you may have saved as many as three lives.